The Better Self?

The image has seared itself into my memory. Taken about five years ago, it is a newspaper photograph of Germaine Greer appearing on the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother. Snapped on the set, she looks like a befuddled and exhausted old woman. She reminded me of my demented grandmother who, towards the end of her life, was often in a similarly unruly state. There was also something pathetic about this feminist and provocateur appearing on such a cheap, often-degrading reality TV show. It seemed she would do anything to gain attention.